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bsdAt times it seems that just when we want to relax the phone or doorbell rings.Sometimes it's a sudden challenge or even as the say a curve ball.Perhaps a dissapointment. Often it seems like the scenarios are laid out for us its up to us how we deliver our lines.Have a good one; h

Carmel Appellation Petite Sirah 2005: My very last bottle (unless I get lucky and find more somewhere), while this bottle showed fully mature and absolutely beautiful in every way (all the guests were very impressed and pleased yet sorry that there was only one bottle), without a doubt and IMHO the very best QPR ever by Carmel (paid 65 shekel for this one, that's $17).

Tulip, Mostly Cabernet Franc 2010: Showed very nicely this time, a very good Cabernet Franc, ready to drink (not for long cellaring, now-2014/15), solid and easy drinking.

Shabbat lunch:

Thanks to David Raccah, a never-to-be-released half bottle. It will be available only at a restaurant in Israel that bought all the production.

Lueria, dry Gewürztraminer 2012: Not bone-dry but quite not your usual off-dry Gewurz either. Pale straw with light green-ish reflections, a beautiful nose of classic yet very ripe almost candy-like lychee, honeysuckle and peaches. Medium-bodied with on the palate lychees, white peaches, spicy apricot and a hint of mango with a tiny dollop of residual sugar à la 2010 Carmel Kayoumi Riesling with ginger-spiced honey on the moderately long finish. Lacking some acidity and that showed when tasted Friday with David but drinking it ice cold on Shabbat helped masking this. Very pleasant anyway.

2007 Galil Mountain Yiron this weekend - slight cork taint, but I was able to ignore it. Had some Willet Rye on Saturday morning - really an excellent, potent rye whiskey, packed with a great deal more flavor than Redemption Rye, which is the other rye I've really been enjoying lately.

Asif Viognier 2009 - While it is not as complex as the 2008 it is enjoyable nonetheless. Its nose is honeyed and spicy, and so is the palate. Although it is technically dry, its floral notes give you a sweet sensation. The primary notes are those of honey, ginger, apricots and white pepper. 13% AbV. B-/**

Hagafen Prix Pinot Noir Single Vineyard Fagan Creek Block 38 2007 - On the first sip I thought the wine betrayed its Pinot Noir roots with toasted oak it could not handle, but after a while those high notes got back in line. The combination of cocoa, cherry and toast is quite racy, offering an interpretation of Pinot decidedly not Burgundian nor Oregonian. Once I got past the mental block of having a Pinot this racy, it was in fact very enjoyable. Though I will add that underneath the racy profile lies a delicately textured body that is very much that of Pinot Noir. Of the various single vineyard bottles of Hagafen's Pinot Noir I've had of late, this is definitely the best. 13.5% AbV. B+/**

Fri Night - Four Gates MSC Merlot 2008 - still young, but already the best four gates I have tried. Sat Lunch - glass of Barkan PN 2010, and a heartier glass of Affligem's Noel, a nice intermediary between a tripel and a dubbel

hi; the elvi vino encina 2004 , seems it went beyond the rogov window at least to me. colors browning though .The wine enjoyable,drink up as they say.On the terrenal cab 2010 david racah was on the button.basicaly got the five dollars worth h

2006 Yatir Shiraz - drinking amazingly. Perhaps one of my favorite wines ever2006 Tzora Misty Hills - came out of the bottle a tiny bit stale but then opened up and became very good.2006 Yarden Tel Phares Syrah - seems over the hill, very disappointing. May try to return the bottleYarden T2 - really enjoyed this but I'm thinking that it won't peak for at 6-12 months

2010 Gvaot Herodian Pinot Noir: A/** I've fawned enough about this wine but I must say it's maturing rather quicker than I expected. Raccah may turn out to be right about the shorter drinking window, but we shall see.